The last time we spotted the all-new Ford Escape (or Kuga as it is known in Europe) it carried a camouflage cloak that kept most of the design hidden from curious eyes.

Now, however, the 2020 Escape has been spotted in the United States wearing nothing but thin camouflage foil. As a result, we get the clearest look yet at the midsize crossover and our first impression is it looks like a 2019 Focus on stilts. Maybe that’s Ford’s way of compensating for not bringing the all-new Focus Stateside.

The new Escape/Kuga will be the first SUV to adopt Ford’s latest design language featured on the latest Focus. Notice the upwards sweeping design of the shoulder line, the gaping grille placed lower than before, the similar headlights and taillights, as well as the fewer edges around the body.

It looks a lot like the new Focus America doesn’t get

Speaking of the grille, on this particular prototype it features a mesh black treatment similar to the grille of the Focus ST-Line. Still, the rather small wheels and abundance of plastic cladding leads us to believe it is not an ST-Line version.

The 2020 Escape/Kuga does look sportier overall than its predecessor, adopting a sloping roofline towards the rear and a rear window that seems more inclined than before. While it looks nice, it remains to be seen what impact it will have on cargo space.

One photo also provides a peek inside the cabin, revealing a touchscreen display mounted at the top of the center console. As with the new Focus, the upcoming Escape/Kuga will be roomier and will adopt higher quality materials and the latest active safety and convenience features. Expect systems such as Pre-Collision Assist, Active Park Assist 2, Blind Spot Information, Evasive Steering Assist and more.

As for the engine lineup, the new crossover will offer EcoBoost gasoline engines and EcoBlue diesels in certain markets, available with the new nine-speed automatic transmission. Various forms of electrification are also on the table.

The All-new Ford Escape/Kuga is likely to debut in the second half of this year as a 2020 model.

PHOTO GALLERY

Photo credits: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien for Carscoops

Might as well put a Kia/Hyundai badge on it, but even their SUVs look far better than this.

EL CHAPO THA GREAT

That would be a huge insults on Hyundai/Kia

performante

Generic

Bash

no

Toronado_II

Completely the opposite of the new Rav4.

MarketAndChurch

Because they have the upcoming Baby Bronco to compete with the Rav4

Toronado_II

Good point. Upcoming…. another story a la Toyota Supra.

donald seymour

So, nobody gone mention that this vehicle looks like a TVR Griffith SUV?

MarketAndChurch

Donald, only you would have caught something like that.

Bash

good one.

Matthijs

Mazda’s drives just as great but then with a cooler design and way nicer interior. This is a big skip

LJ

So you’ve driven the 2020 Escape?

Matthijs

No need, all Fords drive good, same for Mazda’s

Loquacious Borborygmus

Tried an Ecosport?

jfalckt

Why are Ford (of Europe at least) so off the mark with their SUV design? If they’re concentrating more on the SUV’s they should try harder than this amorphous blob.

MarketAndChurch

They have a “trucky” small SUV coming soon too if you’re looking for something more boxy. Plus… you haven’t even seen what it looks like without the camo.

Mark Seven-Ultranine

I don’t understand how a little SUV that looks like EVERY OTHER little SUV can be considered stylish.

Wayne Alan Carr Heyes

Looks good

BUT THAT GRILL IS TWO LOW AND DOESNT LOOK RIGHT

charlotteharry57

So this finally clears up this mess of confusion since, yes, it DOES look like a Focus on stilts. And I absolutely hate it. Probably will get an Equinox over this too-small&ugly thing. Me thinks Ford’s gonna want its cars back…

Viral

It looks more modern, I prefer the current car.

Herman Campbell

Not terrible I guess, looks better than the current one. Looks pretty happy too. Shape kind of lends itself more to an ST variant.

Matt

Then they would be too high wouldn’t they? The Escape’s headlights are positioned much higher than on the Focus.

Able

So gross.

atomicbri

My God, the Escape keeps getting worse. The first incarnation wasn’t bad, the second Gen I liked styling wise. Was a little boxier around the edges, Then the Kuga/Escape came. It has a weird minivan in the back vibe to it. This, this is horrible. It really has gone all squishy. It looks like a first gen Nissan Rogue in the roofline angle. A new Focus on stilts with a hybrid hatch/estate body. No, no, no…. This will probably sell though, but will never be a blip on my purchasing radar.